Block splitter

ABSTRACT

A block splitter having a work supporting surface, with block splitting blades arranged in operative relationship thereon. The blades include a plurality of relatively movable, spaced cutting blades disposed in aligned relationship in a spliiting plane, with at least one of the cutting blades being mounted along the work supporting surface in anchored relationship thereto. The remaining blades have forced-applying means coupled thereto for the application of a splitting force through the web of a block disposed on the work supporting surface.

United States Patent [191 Schlough June 18, 1974 BLOCK SPLITTER [76] Inventor: Thomas L. Schlough, 921 Spruce Dr., St. Cloud, Minn. 56301 [22] Filed: May 26, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 257,241

[52] US. Cl 125/23 C [51] Int. Cl B2811 l/32 [58] Field of Search 125/23 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,657,681 11/1953 Gatzke 125/23 R 3,392,719 7/1968 Clanton 125/23 R 3,727,599 4/1973 Sugiki 125/23 R 3,992,984 2/1970 Harper 125/23 R Primary ExaminerHarold D. Whitehead Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Orrin M. Haugen [57] ABSTRACT A block splitter having a work supporting surface, with block splitting blades arranged in operative relationship thereon. The blades include a plurality of relatively movable, spaced cutting blades disposed in aligned relationship in a spliiting plane, with at least one of the cutting blades being mounted along the work supporting surface in anchored relationship thereto The remaining blades have forced-applying means coupled thereto for the application of a splitting force through the web of a block disposed on the work supporting surface.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEBJun a 19:4

sum 2 or 2 BLOCK SPLITTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cutting pre-cast building blocks, and more particularly to an improved apparatus for forming straight separation cuts in a pre-cast building block, wherein the cuts formed in the block provide a straight continuous joint arris, with the edges being at right angles to the major faces of the block. The apparatus of the present blade, is fabricated in such a fashion that it may be portable, so as to permit operation at various job sites.

Pre-cast building blocks are widely used in construction of buildings, both residential and commercial. During the erection of such a structure, it is necessary to modify the dimensions of certain of the pre-cast blocks in order toconform to the dimensional requirements of the structure. For cutting blocks it has been traditional in the art to either use a diamond or other abrasive glade,.or to mark a block by hand and thereafter strike the face of the block repeatedly until a fracture plane is formed and the block split. Unfortunately, this technique hasproven to be time-consuming, and also wasteful of material since blocks are frequently fractured along lines which are either irregular, or outofalignment from the front surface to the rear surface. The apparatus of the present invention overcomes these problems by making block splitting both expeditious and accurate, with the edges split surface being straight and formed along a desired predetermined plane.

SUMMARYAOF THE INVENTION Briefly, the block splitting apparatus of the present invention includes a frame defining a work supporting surface for receiving pre-cast blocks thereon. The apparatus is provided with splitting blade means which include a. plurality of generally upstanding and relatively movable spaced cutting blades disposed in aligned relationship in a splitting plane. At least one of the cuttingblades is mounted in fixed relationship on the work supporting surface and in anchored relationship to this surface, with the balance of the blades being provided with means for applying a splitting force thereto. It has been found desirable to form a cutting surface with serrations thereon, with the serrations im-- proving the nature and character of the exposed split or cut surface.

The force-applying means is preferably hydraulically actuated, and preferably means are provided for retracting thecutting blades following completion of termination of the cutting operation. Thus, it is possible for the operator to repeatedly place pre-cast blocks in the apparatus without rendering it necessary to preadjust, or otherwise'treat the apparatus prior to each and every cutting operation unless the size of the blocks being treated is to be changed.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved block splitting apparatus which is adapted to form regular, well-defined, and coplanar separation breaks in pre-cast building blocks.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved block splitting apparatus which is adapted to expeditiously and repeatedly form cuts in are straight and arranged at right angles to other sur' faces of the block.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved block splitting apparatus, particularly designed for use with pre-cast concrete blocks, wherein the block splitting apparatus is light in weight and generally adapted to be portable, and hence arranged for use on the various building sites, where the need arises.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS "FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the improved block splitting apparatus of the present invention, and illustrating, schematically, the hydraulic circuitry utilized in connection therewith, FIG. 1 being taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows l1 of FIG. 2; a d

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The block splitting apparatus generally designated 10 includes a frame which includes support posts or legs 11 and 12, along with a work supporting surface or table 13. As is apparent from the drawings, the work supporting surface 13 is arranged for receiving a block thereon, such as the pre-cast concrete block shown generally at 14. The apparatus further includes splitting blade means including a plurality of generally upstanding relatively movable cutting blades l6, l7, l8 and 19. As is apparent from the drawings, blades 16, 18 and 18 are movable, while blade 17 is stationary, being fixed to the work supporting table 13 with post 21. Blade 17 is pivotally secured to post 21, as shown in FIG. 1.

As is apparent to those skilled in the art, the materials of construction for the blades 16, 17, 18 and 19 must be durable and of typecapable of repeated operations of block splitting. Such materials are, of course, commercially available and their selection will pose no problem to those skilled in the art.

Force-applying means are provided to supply the energy needed to part, separate, or otherwise accomplish the splitting operation. A back-up plate is provided for each side of the blade assemblies, such as the plates 25 and 26. Hydraulic cylinders are secured to each of these plates, such as the cylinders 27 and 28, these cylinders carrying rams which apply force to the outermost cutting blades. For purposes of applying force to one of the inner blades, cylinder 30 is provided, which carries a ram for performing its cutting function.

As is apparent in the drawings, cylinders 27 and 28 are provided with rams 32 and 33 which extend outwardly, and which are arranged for reciprocatory motion within the cylinders 27 and 28. While for most operations, an adjustment feature for plate 25 will accommodate most common sizes of blocks, including 8-inch, 10-inch, or 12-inch blocks, however, for added versatility, plate 26 may be rendered adjustable (see bores 34-44,). The free end of the individual rams are provided with a bifurcated coupling member such as pre-cast building blocks wherein the edges of the cut the member 35 which is arranged to be secured to the backing support 36 of blade 16. A similar support is shown at 37 for blade 19, with blade 18 being provided with a support 38.

Cylinder 30 is, of course, provided with its separate ram, such as ram 40 which has a bifurcated coupling member as at 41 for engaging blade 18 through member 38.

In order to accommodate for variations in wall thickness of the individual blocks being cut, and in order to accommodate non-planar surfaces, the coupling means between the ram and the individual blade, a pivotal coupling means is preferred, such as by means of the pivot shafts illustrated, for example as at 42. Each blade is so constructed, and if deemed desirable, stationary blade 17 is provided with a means for accommodating adjustment of the cutting axis.

In order to actuate the mechanism, the hydraulic system shown includes a means for applying a cutting force against each of the movable blades, the system as illustrated, being mechanical in nature. It will be appreciated, of course, that for purposes of enhanced portability, a hand-operated system may be preferred with a hand pump being utilized by the operator to generate the forces required to split the block. Powered pumps may be employed as well. In FIG. 1, a source of hydraulic pressure is shown, such as the pump 45, which discharges fluid under pressure through line 46. Threeway valve 47 is used to select the mode of operation, that is, advancement or spring actuated retraction of the individual cutting blades as will become apparent hereinafter. In the mode shown in FIG. 1, fluid under pressure is delivered to the heads of the individual cylinders, thus advancing the individual cutting blades toward each other in the cutting mode, with the fluid being moved in the direction of the arrows illustrated in FIG. 1, passing from the pump through valve 47, and into the individual cylinders 27, 28 and 30. Following splitting, the discharged fluid moves in the opposite direction and ultimately into reservoir 50. Supply line 51 transmits fluid from the reservoir 50 to pump 45.

In order to accommodate retraction of the mechanism without requiring a powered source of fluid, springs, such as springs 55, 56 and 57 may be utilized to retract the individual rams into the respective cylinders, thereby opening the gap between the cutting blades, and permitting ready removal and re-insertion of the next piece of work. Such a mechanical retraction scheme is, of course, highly compatible with systems utilizing hand-operated systems. In such an arrangement, all that is necessary is a simple hydraulic pump having a pressure release valve which will permit fluid flow from the power chambers to the rear of the hydraulic rams, such as the chamber 59, back to the source of fluid pressure. Such hydraulic mechanisms are, of course, commercially available.

It will be observed that the forward faces of the individual cutting blades are serrated, this serration enhancing the cutting operation and forming straight, right-angle, and well-defined separation edges. It is believed that the serrations permit entry of the cutting surface into the block on a modest and gradually increasing basis. It has been found to improve the quality of the cut, and provide a straight continuous edge with fine line definition.

In the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, the cylinder 30 is secured or otherwise mounted on the support for the back of blade 17. This feature provides greater versatility in the operation of the unit, since blocks of small dimension may be accommodated, with the adjustability, nevertheless, being preserved.

In order to make a cut close to the web of the block to be cut, blades 17 and 18 are arranged immediately adjacent the edge of the support elements as illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 further illustrates the essential config uration of the cutting surfaces, and also the disposition of the block within the splitting apparatus. The cutting blades, as illustrated, are preferably formed of a rigid or hard durable material such as tool steel, or a material such as tungsten carbide or the like.

The proximity of the cutting blades 17 and 18 to the edge of the support elements permits a greater versatility in cutting. With this configuration, the individual blocks may be situated with the cut to be formed being arranged reasonably closely adjacent the wall of the web forming the core in the block.

In operation, the operator places the block in the desired position on the unit, such as is illustrated in FIG. 2, and upon achieving proper disposition, force is applied to the individual blades, and the block splits or parts along the plane extending between the mating or cooperating cutting blades. Upon achieving split of the block along the desired planes, the individual cutting blades are retracted either mechanically or hydraulically, and the apparatus is then ready for the next succeeding splitting operation.

It will be observed that each of the cylinders is actuated from a common source of pressure, thus providing a manifold affect which equalizes the forces being applied to each of the blades. This provides an equalization of forces against all surfaces of the block being split. Thus, the individual block sections being split are effectively isolated from each other, thus minimizing the amount of strains established in the block during the split. This equalization is believed to minimize the tendency to break or damage the block, or to cause premature splitting, since all forces that are required to break the block are being concentrated in the precise areas where the block is being split.

It will be appreciated that the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings is typical of those which may be utilized for block splitting apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

I claim:

1. Block web splitting means comprising, in combination:

a. frame means including a work supporting surface for receiving a block thereon;

b. splitting blade means including a plurality of generally upstanding relatively movable spaced block web cutting blades disposed in aligned relationship in a splitting plane along said work supporting surface and including at least two inwardly directed outwardly disposed cutting blades and two opposed outwardly directed inwardly disposed cutting blades;

c. one of said cutting blades being mounted along said work supporting surface in anchored relationship thereto, with each of the remaining blades having means for simultaneously applying and maintaining a block splitting force against the cutting blade coupled thereto.

2. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the block contacting surfaces of each of said blades is serrated.

3. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that each of said cutting surfaces is provided with rigid backing.

4. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said forceapplying means is hydraulically actuated, and resilient means are provided for application of a force for retracting said movable blades from contact with the block surface.

5. The block splitting means as defined in claim 4 being particularly characterized in that said means for retracting said movable blades are resilient springs.

6. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that means are provided for laterally adjusting the disposition of at least equal forces to each of said movable cutting blades. 

1. Block web splitting means comprising, in combination: a. frame means including a work supporting surface for receiving a block thereon; b. splitting blade means including a plurality of generally upstanding relatively movable spaced block web cutting blades disposed in aligned relationship in a splitting plane along said work supporting surface and including at least two inwardly directed outwardly disposed cutting blades and two opposed outwardly directed inwardly disposed cutting blades; c. one of said cutting blades being mounted along said work supporting surface in anchored relationship thereto, with each of the remaining blades having means for simultaneously applying and maintaining a block splitting force against the cutting blade coupled thereto.
 2. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the block contacting surfaces of each of said blades is serrated.
 3. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that each of said cutting surfaces is provided with rigid backing.
 4. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said force-applying means is hydraulically actuated, and resilient means are provided for application of a force for retracting said movable blades from contact with the block surface.
 5. The block splitting means as defined in claim 4 being particularly characterized in that said means for retracting said movable blades are resilient springs.
 6. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that means are provided for laterally adjusting the disposition of at least one of said outwardly disposed blades.
 7. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said anchored blade is one of said inwardly disposed blades.
 8. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said inwardly disposed blades are mounted on support posts with the cutting blades being disposed immediately adjacent one side of said support posts.
 9. The block splitting means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said force-applying means are arranged to exert substantially equal forces to each of said movable cutting blades. 